The 2008 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 48th in the National Football League (NFL) and their third under head coach Brad Childress. They won their 17th NFC North division title with a 10–6 record, the first time since 2000 that they made the playoffs with a winning record; however, they finished behind the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers and had to play in the wild card round of the playoffs. They were paired with Childress's former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, who won 26–14. Second-year running back Adrian Peterson led the league in rushing with 1,760 yards.
Offseason
Player and personnel moves
Releases and injuries On February 11, it was announced that defensive end Kenechi Udeze had been diagnosed by doctors with a form of leukemia. KMSP-TV also reported that Udeze was at Fairview Southdale Hospital undergoing tests and that he had been at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester the week before. Udeze was expected to be out for the 2008 season, but returned for one game against the Green Bay Packers on November 9 before ultimately retiring from professional football on July 29, 2009.
On February 20, the team released free safety Dwight Smith after two somewhat controversial seasons with the Vikings in which Smith had several run-ins with the law. He was due to receive $2.5 million and a $500,000 roster bonus this season.
On February 27, the team released backup quarterback Kelly Holcomb.
On February 29, the team traded wide receiver Troy Williamson to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in the 2008 draft and linebacker Dontarrious Thomas left the team to join the San Francisco 49ers.
On March 1, the Vikings' former defensive tackle Spencer Johnson joined the Buffalo Bills.
On March 3, free agent running back Mewelde Moore left the team to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On March 7, safety Tank Williams joined the New England Patriots and fullback Tony Richardson joined the New York Jets.
Signings and extensions On February 29, the team signed safety Madieu Williams, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, and fullback Thomas Tapeh, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles.
On March 1, the team signed wide receiver Bernard Berrian, formerly of the Chicago Bears.
On March 4, running back and special teams specialist Maurice Hicks, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, signed a three-year contract to join the team.
On March 14, the team signed linebacker and special-teams standout Derrick Pope, formerly of the Miami Dolphins.
On March 17, the Vikings signed former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Ellis Wyms, and re-signed wide receiver Robert Ferguson; all to one-year contracts.
On March 20 and March 21, Houston Texans safety Michael Boulware and former Green Bay Packers career backup defensive tackle Kenderick Allen to one-year contracts.
On March 24, restricted free agent linebacker Heath Farwell was re-resigned to a one-year contract. Also, on the next day, the team signed former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Benny Sapp to a one-year contract.
On April 8, former Vikings backup quarterback Gus Frerotte rejoined the team on a one-year contract.
On April 23, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen signed a six-year contract with the Vikings in a trade that gave the Chiefs the Vikings' 2008 first-round draft pick and both third-round picks. The trade may also involve the swapping of 2008 sixth round draft picks with Kansas City.
On July 22, the Vikings signed their fifth-round pick, defensive tackle Letroy Guion, and their seventh-round pick, wide receiver Jaymar Johnson.
2008 draft
2008 Minnesota Vikings Draft Draft order Player name Position College Contract Notes Round Selection117Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs243Tyrell JohnsonSArkansas State4 yearsFrom Panthers, via Eagles47Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles373Traded to the Kansas City ChiefsFrom Broncos82Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs4117Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles5137John David BootyQBUSC4 yearsFrom Rams, via Packers150Traded to the Green Bay Packers152Letroy GuionDTFlorida State4 yearsFrom Eagles6182Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs187John SullivanCNotre Dame4 yearsFrom Buccaneers, via Chiefs193Jaymar JohnsonWRJackson State4 yearsFrom Jaguars7209Traded to the Green Bay PackersFrom Rams226Traded to the New York Jets Notes:
All selections were moved up one overall position as the New England Patriots forfeited their first-round pick (originally 31st overall) due to the "Spygate scandal".
+ Notable undrafted free agentsNamePositionCollegeHusain AbdullahSWashington StateStephen HauschkaKNC StateErin HendersonLBMarylandDarius ReynaudWRWest Virginia
Training camp
On May 27, Erasmus James was traded to the Washington Redskins for a conditional 2009 NFL draft pick.
On June 27, the Vikings signed a one-day contract with seven-season member Robert Griffith so he could ceremonially retire as a member of the team.
On July 16, Jay Glazer reported that the Green Bay Packers had filed tampering charges against the Vikings for allegedly inappropriately contacting Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre.
On August 4, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ruled that contact between the Vikings and Brett Favre over the summer did not violate league tampering rules, as the Packers alleged, mostly because Favre was retired at the time.
Staff
Roster
Preseason
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue NFL.comrecap 1 August 8 Seattle Seahawks L 17–34 0–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 2 August 16 at Baltimore Ravens W 23–15 1–1 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 3 August 23 Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–12 1–2 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 4 August 28 at Dallas Cowboys L 10–16 1–3 Texas Stadium Recap
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 2: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 3: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue NFL.comrecap 1 September 8 at Green Bay Packers L 19–24 0–1 Lambeau Field Recap 2 September 14 Indianapolis Colts L 15–18 0–2 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 3 September 21 Carolina Panthers W 20–10 1–2 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 4 September 28 at Tennessee Titans L 17–30 1–3 LP Field Recap 5 October 6 at New Orleans Saints W 30–27 2–3 Louisiana Superdome Recap 6 October 12 Detroit Lions W 12–10 3–3 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 7 October 19 at Chicago Bears L 41–48 3–4 Soldier Field Recap 8 Bye 9 November 2 Houston Texans W 28–21 4–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 10 November 9 Green Bay Packers W 28–27 5–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 11 November 16 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 13–19 5–5 Raymond James Stadium Recap 12 November 23 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 30–12 6–5 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Recap 13 November 30 Chicago Bears W 34–14 7–5 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 14 December 7 at Detroit Lions W 20–16 8–5 Ford Field Recap 15 December 14 at Arizona Cardinals W 35–14 9–5 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 16 December 21 Atlanta Falcons L 17–24 9–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 17 December 28 New York Giants W 20–19 10–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap
Game summaries
Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
The Vikings began their 2008 campaign on the road against their NFC North foe, the Green Bay Packers, in the first game of 2008's Monday Night Football doubleheader. After a scoreless first quarter, the Vikings attacked first with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 37-yard field goal. The Packers responded with quarterback Aaron Rodgers completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to fullback Korey Hall, along with kicker Mason Crosby getting a 42-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Vikes tried to catch up as Longwell got a 27-yard field goal, but Green Bay replied with cornerback Will Blackmon returning a punt 76 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota tried to rally as quarterback Tarvaris Jackson completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sidney Rice (with a failed two-point conversion), yet the Packers responded with Rodgers getting a 1-yard touchdown run. The Vikes replied with a 3-yard touchdown run from running back Adrian Peterson, but their final rally ended in an interception.
With the loss, not only did the Vikings begin their season at 0–1, but head coach Brad Childress fell to 0–5 against the Packers in his coaching career. In the first half, Minnesota was widely outgained in passing yards 139–6.
Week 2: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Packers, the Vikings played their Week 2 home opener against the Indianapolis Colts. In the first half, kicker Ryan Longwell helped Minnesota take the early lead with a 45-yard and a 27-yard field goal in the first quarter, along with a 53-yard field goal in the second quarter. In the third quarter, the Vikes increased its lead with Longwell getting a 46-yard and a 28-yard field goal. However, the Colts responded with running back Joseph Addai getting a 1-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, Indianapolis continued to gain ground as quarterback Peyton Manning completed a 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne, followed by a two-point conversion run by running back Dominic Rhodes. The Colts sealed the win with a 47-yard field goal from kicker Adam Vinatieri with 3 seconds left in regulation.
Week 3: vs. Carolina Panthers
Trying to avoid an 0–3 start, the Vikings stayed at home for a Week 3 duel with the Carolina Panthers. Due to poor performance, Jackson was benched at quarterback in favor of veteran Gus Frerotte.
In the first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Panthers kicker John Kasay got a 43-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Carolina increased its lead with running back Jonathan Stewart getting a 2-yard touchdown run. The Vikes responded with a 28-yard field goal by Longwell, followed by cornerback Antoine Winfield sacking Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, who fumbled the ball, which Winfield returned 19 yards for a touchdown just before halftime, the key play in the Vikings' victory. Head coach Brad Childress said a day later that Winfield had a half-second left before it was ruled an incomplete pass. In the third quarter, the Vikings got the lead as Frerotte completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota sealed its victory with Longwell nailing a 32-yard field goal.
Week 4: at Tennessee Titans
Coming off their home win over the Panthers, the Vikings flew to LP Field for a Week 4 interconference duel with the Tennessee Titans. In the first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Titans kicker Rob Bironas got a 20-yard field goal, while running back Chris Johnson got a 1-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, the Vikes responded with a 28-yard touchdown run from Peterson. However, Tennessee responded with Bironas kicking a 32-yard field goal, along with running back LenDale White getting a 1-yard touchdown run. The Vikings closed out the half with Longwell getting a 42-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Titans increased their lead with Bironas nailing a 49-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota tried to rally as Peterson got a 3-yard touchdown run, but Tennessee pulled away with Johnson's 6-yard touchdown run.
With the loss, the Vikings fell to 1–3.
Week 5: at New Orleans Saints
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Titans, the Vikings flew to the Louisiana Superdome for a Week 5 Monday night duel with the New Orleans Saints. Frerotte made his first start on Monday Night Football since 1997, when he was with the Washington Redskins.